Anybody install an inertia fuel cut-off switch on early cars?

I know the later cars came with one, but have thought about installing one on an earlier car.

I know there are tons on the market....

Any advice?

I would be interested in any advice as well. Once my 63 goes on the road, the two safety items I am most concerned with are fuel cut-off switch and seat belts....
Thanks!

I installed an inertial cutoff switch on my 1971. I used the switch from Moss and located it in one of the battery boxes (I converted to a single 12v battery).

I also heartily recommend having seat belts re-webbed. I spent $200 on re-webbing and (mostly) used the old belt hardware. You do not want to hang your life on 40 year old fabric!

Thanks Terry. Two more follow-up questions then:

1) In my (blonde) thinking the fuel cut-off is a safety item in case of collision. Now, if I happen to be in that situation, I'd rather not have to get in the back, unscrew the battery box cover and flip the switch. Wouldn't under the dash (or wherever reachable quickly) be a better location for a fuel cut-off?

2) I have NO seat belts and (as far as I can tell, but again - I am a blonde) no provisions to mount them. I believe Moss sells a kit, but I would still have to find a way to way/mount. Any other suggestions?

:)

ingoldsb Wrote:

The stock inertia switch can only be Reset manually. It has to trip on it's on................

I will certainly be putting one in my 73. It's asking to die in a fire by not having one.

Aha! Thanks! Duhh...I guess that's why they call them inertia switches....told ya I'm a blonde!!
;)

Dwain Wrote:

sunny124ny Wrote:

I used a rusted out 80 B for my parts car. It had the inertia switch in it. I installed it on my 68 and have never regretted it.

As I changed my dash to a metal dash, I put the switch on the passenger (right) side up next to the glove box. It is out of site, but I can get in there and activate it manually as a theft deterrent. One time I forgot to turn it back on and started the car. I got about 100 yards and the engine died. I quickly realized what I did wrong and pushed the button down, restarted and was on my way.

Thanks Terry, please let me know how they work out! I have a bit of time yet before the 63 is drivable, going out for painting soon. Regarding the mounting bosses, is this what they look like?

trs Wrote:

I have one installed on my 65. The one I have is like the aftermarket one listed in the Moss catalog. The directions call for it to be installed in a corner area, so I installed it in the boot, near where the wheel arch and the rear bulkhead intersect.

It is a manual switch that will activate if the car is hit hard, or rolls over. Cheap insurance I think.

sunny124ny Wrote: [quote]
Thanks Terry, please let me know how they work out! I have a bit of time yet before the 63 is drivable, going out for painting soon. Regarding the mounting bosses, is this what they look like?
trs Wrote:Quote:

Those are definitely the wheel arch ones and those may well be the tunnel ones - I'm not sure about that because I haven't paid much attention to where my 2-point lap belts are currently mounted. I'll have to take a look.

Cool, thanks! Getting seat belts installed may not be quite the ordeal I had envisioned after all....
:)


trs Wrote:Quote:
Those are definitely the wheel arch ones and those may well be the tunnel ones - I'm not sure about that because I haven't paid much attention to where my 2-point lap belts are currently mounted. I'll have to take a look.
[/quote]

I installed a fuel inertia cut off switch on my 74 several years ago. I used one from a Ford Tempo and installed it in series in the fuel pump white power wire. It's located just behind the fuse box. It's a heavy duty switch and was even mande in the UK. Cost $5. I tested the switch prior to installing it, it's never shut off since I installed it.

Clifton

Now that I got the concept down, this all makes sense....you only have to access for reset, and at that point it shouldn't matter much where to do that. Battery box area does make sense, so does the vibration issue. You see, I'm getting there!
;)

ingoldsb Wrote:

I personally would rather have it located more toward the front of the car.

Most all "modern" cars have it located up front, and probably for good reason. Cars are generally stiffer in these regions, and would transmit the G-forces reliably. That is probably why some after market ones say to mount them in a "corner" area....stiffness in the chassis. I guess the odds are also higher you will have a frontal impact.

Clifton - nice installation!

I'll probably use a Ford one as well, just because I can get my hands on them easily.

A very good thread, and glad folks brought up seat belts too.

Safety is not something to skimp on. And for any of you running around on near original tires, shame on you too.

Well, this is what the DPO had on the car. Once I am actually rolling, I may need to address this as well.....


BumbleB74 Wrote:

What the...?

LOL, I know -- fake wide whitewalls (especially nice with wire wheel painted black)...
;)



scottydawg Wrote: